More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Rea leads KRT 1-2, Gerloff flies high and Honda show strength on day one at Portimao Friday, 1 October 2021 15:08 GMT
Jonathan Rea (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
11 riders covered by less than nine tenths of a second – the Motul Portuguese Round is shaping up to be a thriller
The 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season is in its closing stages as the final European round comes into view at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve for the Motul Portuguese Round. The Portimao track welcomes the next chapter of the Championship duel and day one saw the advantage go to Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), with the Ulsterman leading a Kawasaki 1-2 in Portugal.
KAWASAKI CONQUER: Rea heads Lowes
It was a strong session for Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), as the master of Portimao topped FP1 on Friday morning before moving on to finish first again in the afternoon. Rea improved with less than six minutes to go to increase his advantage over the rest of the field, completing a solid opening day’s work. Teammate Alex Lowes was third in FP1, with both Kawasakis showing strongly in the cooler temperatures. Lowes improved his overall time in the last 20 minutes of the second session, meaning that he finished in second overall.
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
INDEPENDENT CHARGE: top six sensations
Finishing in third at the end of the first day and looking like his old self, Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was up in third and back on the pace. The American rider was second in FP1 but was only pipped by Lowes in the overall classification come the end of the day. He led the Independent charge as Loris Baz (Team GoEleven) joined him in the top six overall in sixth. The French super-sub, deputising for Chaz Davies, is right on the pace at the circuit where he returned to the podium at last year following a six year wait. Baz set 38 laps, more than anyone else in the top six, getting valuable track time with Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA AND YAMAHA: shining solidly
It was a very promising first day at the Portimao office for Honda, with Leon Haslam (Team HRC) one of the biggest improvers compared to the morning time. The ‘Pocket Rocket’ knocked off 1.2s from his morning time, running well inside the top three for the majority of the second half of the second session. On the other side of the garage, the sun was also shining as Alvaro Bautista was up inside the top eight in FP2 and for most of the session, less than half a second from the top spot. Come the conclusion of the first day, Haslam finished in fourth overall, with Bautista in ninth.
Leon Haslam (91). Photo courtesy Dorna.
It was a solid day for Yamaha as Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) got his weekend underway. The Championship leader, who sports a 20-point advantage, was fourth in the morning session and was consistently inside the top four in the afternoon. Toprak set highly consistent lap times, with many laps all within a couple of tenths of his fastest time but ultimately, finished fifth. Teammate Andrea Locatelli had quite a quiet day in general, going about his business in the top eight and finishing the day in tenth overall.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.
WORK TO DO: Ducati and BMW set for Saturday improvements
It wasn’t the easiest first day at Portimao for Ducati, with Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) placing as top Ducati in the morning in sixth place, whereas teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi was only 13th. Both were well inside the top ten in FP2 but only Rinaldi was able to improve, as Redding lost time in the pitlane following a technical issue. Getting out for a flying lap at the end of the day and setting his fastest time, Redding finished in seventh come the close of business, whilst Rinaldi was eighth.
Friday saw another tricky start for BMW, with no representation inside the top ten. Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was marginally faster in the afternoon than the morning but consistent too, with both times being in the 1’42.3 bracket. For Eugene Laverty (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), he was back in action in place of the injured Tom Sykes, and finished the day in 15th place, although the Irishman did suffer a technical issue on his final run at the end of FP2.
THE REST: a surprise from afar?
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) took 12th place as he got to grips with Portimao’s undulations, whilst Isaac Viñales (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 13th on his return to WorldSBK action. Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) continued to impress next up in 14th, whilst Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing) was 16th behind fellow BMW rider Laverty. Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Samuele Cavalieri (Barni Racing Team) and Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) completed the top 20, whilst wildcard Gabriele Ruiu (B-Max Racing Team) was next up, ahead of OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini duo Loris Cresson and Lachlan Epis.
Some fast faces from the Grand Prix paddock will form an important part of the newest initiative on the Road to MotoGP™
Thursday, 30 September 2021
The inaugural season of the FIM MiniGP World Series is underway, beginning the newest initiative on the Road to MotoGP™. Designed to unify and standardise MiniGP competitions from around the world under the same umbrella, the FIM MiniGP World Series aims to create an equal platform for young riders worldwide and increase their skill and opportunity.
There are ten Cups in the inaugural Series, and an ambassador from the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship paddock has been named for each:
FIM MiniGP Alpe Adria Series: Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG)
FIM MiniGP France Series: Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
FIM MiniGP Ireland Series: John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing)
FIM MiniGP Italy Series: Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama)
FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series: Hafizh Syahrin (NTS RW Racing GP)
FIM MiniGP Netherlands Series: Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG)
FIM MiniGP North America Series: Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team)
FIM MiniGP Portugal Series: Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
FIM MiniGP Spain Series: Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team)
FIM MiniGP UK Series: Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing)
FIM MiniGP Spain Series ambassador Pol Espargaro with young Spanish racers in the Repsol Honda garage. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The ambassadors represent the Cups and as the FIM MiniGP World Series continues, have the chance to meet the competitors and offer some advice as the young riders follow their dream on the Road to MotoGP™. The Aragon GP staged the first meeting between FIM MiniGP Spain Series ambassador Pol Espargaro and the top riders from the competition in Spain, before the San Marino GP at Misano saw Enea Bastianini get to know the riders from the FIM MiniGP Italy Series. Next up the top riders from the FIM MiniGP North America Series will get the chance to meet their ambassador, Joe Roberts, at the Circuit of the Americas, before multiple MotoGP™ winner Miguel Oliveira greets the fastest faces from the FIM MiniGP Portugal Series at the Algarve GP.
Each ambassador will also play a key role in the FIM MiniGP World Series Final at the Valencia GP, on-hand as the top riders from each Cup battle it out for victory – and the chance to move up the Road to MotoGP™ in 2022.
In addition, the bike lottery to match each FIM MiniGP World Series Finalist with the bike they’ll be riding in the final – ensuring the distribution is fair and randomised – will take place at the Algarve GP in Portimão, the weekend before the FIM MiniGP World Series final. 2020 MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir and Team Suzuki Ecstar teammate Alex Rins will do the honours, matching each rider with their machine ahead of the pre-event MotoGP™ Press Conference on Thursday.
More, from another press release issued by Dorna:
Meet the ambassador! Roberts hosts the MiniGP North America series frontrunners
American Moto2 racer and MiniGP World Series ambassador Joe Roberts (far left) with FIM MiniGP North America/MotoAmerica Mini Cup stars (continuing from left) Kensei Matsudaira, Jayden Fernandez, and Jesse James Shedden in the Italtrans Racing garage at COTA. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Series ambassadors were announced on Thursday and thereafter, home hero and FIM MiniGP North America series ambassador Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) hosted some special guests at COTA.
Fresh from the Press Conference, Kensei Matsudaira, Jesse James Shedden and Jayden Fernandez headed for the Italtrans box to see a Moto2™ machine up close and enjoy a meet and greet with Roberts, getting a few words of wisdom from the Grand Prix podium finisher!
“I’ll go for it!”: riders ready for another COTA rodeo
The pre-event Press Conference kicks off the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas
Friday, 01 October 2021
Drum roll… we are back at COTA! The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas kicked off on Thursday with the pre-event Press Conference, with Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) joined by form man and closest challenger Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), King of COTA Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Misano podium finisher Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) and home heroes Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), with plenty to talk about.
World Championship riders (from left) Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, Joe Roberts, Fabio Quartararo, Enea Bastianini, Marc Marquez, and Cameron Beaubier at the pre-race press conference at Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Here are some key quotes!
Fabio Quartararo: “I’m really happy to be back here and yes, it’s a track that I really like. Two years ago my first MotoGP season was quite good and since then we’ve taken a lot of experience. For sure we will go a lot better, but yeah it’s a track that I like and I think we can achieve a good goal. Of course we know the back straight will be difficult for us, but I think the first and last sectors will be important ones to recover.
Fabio Quartararo. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“Honestly in Misano, behind Jack, I had some moments. But as soon as I overtook Jack and I saw Pecco in front, I needed to try. Second is ok for the championship and in the end that’s the position we finished but it’s the race I had more fun in this year. It’s a shame we didn’t get that place at the end, but the race was going super fast and I want more of this at the end. Of course I’m in a tricky situation, I will not push over my limit but if I can achieve something like Misano or something better, I’ll go for it.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “It’s a track that I like, I am always happy to come here to America. Austin is a place I like, and I think our bike will suit this track well. I won the last few races and my feeling with the bike grew a lot. I know it is not an easy track, the first sector hasn’t been easy in recent years. In 2018, I was not feeling great with the bike with the movements of the bike and the bumps, but this year, with the new surface it might be better. I think Yamaha will be fast, but Honda with Marc will be the fastest.
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“This year we were fast at tracks that we struggled at in the past years. I think our bike suits better in all the conditions in all the situations of tracks. This first sector is very similar to Silverstone, maybe more difficult but similar, and we were fast there so I think we can also be very competitive here. We need a chance to stay in front so we have to be competitive.”
Marc Marquez: “I mean the approach of the weekend, for example compared to Misano and Austin is a bit different because I know that normally in this track I enjoy a lot and this year I will try to enjoy it, because if we take this season I’m suffering more than enjoying. Anyway we will see, it’s a tough track, lots of changes of direction and a lot of brake points, but luckily it’s on the left side, so this will help. And yeah, I’m ready to enjoy – if I enjoy it on the bike the result will arrive.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna.
“As you see in Misano we tried the 2022 prototype, and it was a big difference. One of the biggest differences since I joined Honda. They are working very hard and I think it was very interesting. We improved our weak points but when you improve your weak points, of course if you improve the weak points then other problems arrive. But we already understood a bit, me and Pol, the comments were similar and with the new bike we were fast. The first contact was nice, it was good, but we need to keep working, try to understand in other race tracks and with less grip because the grip at the Misano Test was unbelievable, it was so easy to go fast, and yeah, now it’s time to keep working and try to prepare for the 2022 season.”
Enea Bastianini: “You know it’s very nice to battle with these guys and I think Marc is fantastic. Also riding the Ducati, it’s an incredible bike because you can brake very hard. Also, Misano, it’s easier for me because we tested a lot with the Panigale and it’s one of my favourite tracks. Here in Austin, it’s another world, another track. I have to understand more my bike and I think Marc here is incredible and we will see what we can do here on this track.
Enea Bastianini. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“Yeah it is possible, we can do another good race in Austin. I have never tried the Ducati at this track, step by step I’m arriving to my objective and also I am riding the bike more easily. We will see if we can do another step. The top six is possible but not easy!”
Joe Roberts: “It’s just amazing to be back here honestly. I think, pretty thankful to MotoGP and Dorna for making this happen to come back to America, as an American rider it’s crucial that we race in America. Even just last night flying in and coming into the airport and seeing fans already, coming up and saying hi, it’s amazing. Austin I’ve always said it’s one of my favourite cities, I’m a big fan of music and stuff so, they’ve got Austin City Limits this weekend – not that I’ll make any shows! – but it’s pretty cool to be here. I hope for a great showing, we have a great race and the fans really enjoy it.
Joe Roberts. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“It’s been a bit of a difficult season I think. Not the season me and the team expected. Started out pretty decent you know, running out front, but for whatever reason we’ve hit hard times I would say. But I don’t know, I think it’s something that can happen in this class, this class is unpredictable, the class can be like that sometimes. We wanted to stay together because I believe in the team and the team believes in me, I feel that we can get back to where we should be next year and even finish this season really well.”
Cameron Beaubier: “It’s like Joe said, it’s pretty special coming back here and racing at COTA and we haven’t been here since 2019, and we were here in 2019 with Moto America so yeah, it’s going to be nice on Friday rolling out on the track I know. In front of the hometown crowd and everything like that yeah, it’s been an amazing season so far you know, it’s been really, really tough this Moto2 class. I mean just the level of talent across the board from Moto2, Moto3 and obviously MotoGP is incredible so yeah, looking forward to this weekend and see what the weather throws at us.
Cameron Beaubier. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“It’s hard to say exactly my target is, I want to finish the year strong. The beginning of the year it started out OK, I got a couple tests at some tracks that we went and raced at. I was more competitive than what I was now but I think the biggest thing with my new crew chief, Stew, he’s just telling me focus on the gap to the front rather than the position because you know how tight Moto2 is! It’s incredible so just trying to kind of focus on that. I’m really excited going into the offseason the next year just getting all the tracks you know, learn and relearn because I haven’t been in Europe in 11 years so that’ll be really cool, and yeah, see where we stack up.”
Now the talking stops and the flag drops. Tune in as Free Practice begins on Friday morning, before Sunday sees the lights go out for MotoGP™ at 14:00 (GMT -5)!
Dynavolt Triumph ready for penultimate round at Donington Park
Dynavolt Triumph return to Donington Park this weekend for round ten of the 2021 Quattro Group British Supersport Championship. For Brandon Paasch Donington Park has proved a rich hunting ground, the scene of his best results so far in the Supersport category back in August with two podium successes before injury struck at Snetterton.
After two brave top ten performances last weekend at Oulton Park, Paasch arrives at Donington Park feeling much further along in his recovery and ready to take another step towards his previous form at his adopted home round.
Brandon Paasch: “I’m really excited to head back to Donington, my ‘home race’ and it’s the track I’ve got my best results at this year. My wrist is feeling stronger by the day so I’m looking to build off of last week’s results!”
Danny Webb will make his second appearance for Dynavolt Triumph at the 2.48-mile Leicestershire circuit standing in for the injured Kyle Smith. The former Moto3 and World Supersport rider Webb is excited to get to a track he knows well as he continues to adapt to the Dynavolt Triumph.
Danny Webb: “I’m really looking forward to getting to Donington Park, it’s a circuit that I’m a bit more familiar with and it’s a bit more like the European circuits I’m used to so looking forward to getting there and getting back to working with the team and hopefully getting some good results in.”
Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “Two rounds to go, it’s been an eventful BSB season for us, we’ve won races and we’ve had podiums. Kyle’s crash at Silverstone meant that we’re not in contention for the Championship any more but in the last two rounds we want to podium and challenge for wins if we can. Brandon’s performance at Oulton Park, considering his injury, was very good. I expect him to be stronger at Donington Park because he understands how to get the best from himself in his current physical condition and I expect his physical condition to be better. The secret will be that one lap in qualifying because at Oulton he did have the pace to run with the group. His fastest lap at the end of the race was very competitive so he should be in a good position.”
“For Danny not having been to Oulton Park for so many years and the first time on a Triumph was always going to be challenging, then he lost the first session with an electrical issue but now he understands the Dynavolt Triumph and we are going to a circuit he knows well so I’m looking forward to seeing what Danny can do. He enjoyed working with us and we enjoyed working with him. I’m optimistic, let’s see what we can do.”
British Supersport action kicks off from Donington Park with Free Practice One on Friday at 09:35hrs (BST).
Progressive AFT and All Kids Bike Team Up to Bring Learn-To-Ride Program to Charlotte-Area Kindergarteners
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 30, 2021) – Progressive American Flat Track proudly announced today that the series will be teaming up with the nonprofit All Kids Bike to help teach hundreds of kids to ride by placing a learn-to-ride program into a Charlotte-area elementary school.
On the morning of October 7, Progressive AFT staff, All Kids Bike staff, and AFT stars Cory Texter and Johnny Lewis will be building bikes and delivering the program to the Parkside Elementary School kindergarten PE class.
At Friday’s Honda Charlotte Half-Mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a highlight video of the bike build and school delivery will be featured on the livestream and at-track jumbotron.
As part of the Friday night race program, there will be an opportunity for older students who already know how to ride to come ride their bicycles in the infield of the racetrack in front of the fans.
This “Next Generation – Bicycle Ride” will happen at 6:20 p.m. ET, just before Opening Ceremonies. This bicycle ride opportunity is limited to the first 100 registrants. Terrain may be challenging and kids must be proficient bicyclists to participate.
One free adult ticket is available with each registered young rider and must be picked up at Will Call by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, October 8. Registration is available at:
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events with TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.
About Strider Education Foundation and All Kids Bike
All Kids Bike is a national movement led by the Strider® Education Foundation to place Kindergarten PE Learn-To-Ride Programs into public schools for free, using donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. The Strider Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed in 2017. The Strider Education Foundation believes that learning to ride can help everyone lead a happier and healthier life.
Ducati presents the new Multistrada V2: the pleasure of travelling, every day
The Multistrada V2 is the new gateway to the Multistrada universe: a comfortable, fun to ride, versatile and technologically advanced twin-cylinder bike
5 kg lighter than the previous version and with improved ergonomics, the Multistrada V2 is the perfect bike to experience the beauty of travelling every day
The bike will be available at Ducati dealerships from November 2021, also in a 35-kW version for A2 licence holders
A 2022 Ducati Multistrada V2 S. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 30th September 2021 – The first episode of the Ducati World Première 2022 web series (link to the video here) is dedicated by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer to the world of travel, with the presentation of the new Multistrada V2: the ideal bike to enjoy every route, versatile in everyday use and in the city, always with the sportiness and unmistakable style that characterize every Ducati.
With the Multistrada V2 project, the Borgo Panigale company has worked to further evolve the twin-cylinder of the family of Ducati dual bikes, creating a 360° bike, increasingly intuitive, comfortable, fun and accessible.
The new Multistrada V2 is a technologically advanced motorcycle, with an extremely complete electronic package and represents the perfect gateway to the Ducati tourer universe, thanks also to the introduction of the 35-kW version for A2 licence holders.
During the development phases of this bike the main points of focus were ergonomics, weight reduction, engine updates and a series of upgrades that follow the philosophy of “continuous improvement”.
The design of the Multistrada V2 is elegant and sporty at the same time, perfectly in line with the stylistic and recognizable canons of the Borgo Panigale family of dual bikes. A style characterized by fluid lines, clean surfaces and the characteristic and distinctive balance between the important front volume and the slenderness and lightness of the rear. The Multistrada V2 also features new refined graphics, which shows the name of the bike on both sides.
A 2022 Ducati Multistrada V2 S. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The new Multistrada V2 is equipped with the latest evolution of the 937 cc Testastretta 11° unit. The desmodromic distribution engine, four valves per cylinder, water-cooled, delivers 113 horsepower and approximately 10 kgm of maximum torque*. This twin-cylinder is very linear, manageable and smooth at low revs, and is equipped with a torque that is always ready and vigorous, which if necessary can release all Ducati’s typical sporty and adrenaline-pumping character. Consistent and robust, the engine has extended maintenance intervals, with oil change every 15,000 km and valve clearance check every 30,000 km.
The evolution of the Testastretta 11° mounted on the new Multistrada V2 features important improvements: new connecting rods, new 8-disc hydraulic clutch and an updated gearbox, which guarantees greater fluidity and precision in shifting, also facilitating the engagement of neutral. An even more appreciable progress in use in conjunction with the quick shifter, now with a further optimized operating strategy.
The bike’s chassis is agile and intuitive, with a 19″ front wheel that ensures a smooth, comfortable ride, always with the right level of reactivity and precision. Extremely versatile, the bike is also ideal for urban use, thanks to the effectiveness of the Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO semi-active suspension system (standard on the S version), which can absorb roughness and unevenness of the ground and always guarantee the ideal set-up of the vehicle, improving safety and comfort.
Important development work has been made on the ergonomics of the bike, to make it more comfortable and more intuitive, able to put any rider at ease in any situation. The height has been reduced to 830 mm, with a redesigned shape of the saddle which is now narrower and more compact between the rider’s legs to allow you to easily touch the ground with your feet thanks to an inseam arch of only 1,790mm.
These changes provide safety when the bike is stationary and improve confidence when manoeuvring at low speed even with a passenger and full cases. Furthermore, in the Ducati Performance catalogue a low seat and a lowered suspension kit are available which, combined, allow you to reach a height of 790mm.
The work on the seat also focused on riding comfort: the new shape of the saddle provides a flat area that guarantees the rider freedom of movement in the longitudinal direction, improving the level of comfort and allowing anyone to find the optimal position.
The riding position is now more comfortable with the new footpegs inherited from the Multistrada V4 which, thanks to a 10 mm increase in distance from the seat, ensure the right amount of room also for taller riders, preventing them from bending their legs excessively, and thus allowing a more restful position during long journeys.
Another key area of improvement is the reduction in the bike’s weight, which, through work on many elements, has resulted in a reduction of 5 kg in weight compared to the Multistrada 950.
The engine update has produced a saving of about 2 kg, including the clutch (1.5 kg) and its cover, gearbox drum and connecting rods. Various parts of the vehicle have been lightened, including the mirrors, derived from Multistrada V4, the front brake disc flanges and the rims: the new Multistrada V2 mounts rims derived from the Multistrada V4, which are about 1.7 kg lighter, thus generating an important improvement in the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle. Spoked wheels are also available in the Ducati Performance catalogue, which have been significantly lightened.
The Multistrada V2 is equipped as standard with a state-of-the-art electronic package that offers everything you need to travel in comfort and safety. The package includes ABS Cornering, which guarantees a high degree of safety when braking even when cornering, Vehicle Hold Control, which makes starting on sloping roads easy, Ducati Traction Control, the four Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro) completely configurable by the user and the new featured Ducati Brake Light system which, in the event of sudden braking, automatically activates the flashing of the rear light in order to signal the condition of sudden slowing down appropriately.
In the S version the journey becomes 5-star thanks to a benchmark full-optional package for the segment, which sees the addition of the Skyhook electronic suspension, Cruise Control, full-LED headlight equipped with Ducati Cornering Lights function which optimizes the illumination of the roadway based on the lean of the motorcycle, Ducati Quick Shift Up & Down, Hands Free system, a high resolution 5” colour TFT dashboard with intuitive interface and backlit handlebar controls.
The colour range consists of the classic “Ducati Red” colour with black rims, available for both Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2 S, together with the new “Street Grey” livery with black frame and “GP Red” rims, which can only be ordered for the version S.
For the Multistrada V2 family there are two trim levels that can be ordered directly from the factory. The Essential trim is available for both Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2 S, while the Travel trim, with side bags, heated grips and central stand, can only be ordered for the S version.
The Multistrada V2 will be available in dealerships in the Ducati network starting from November 2021.
The Ducati Performance catalogue also includes a series of specifically designed accessories to enhance the character and qualities of the Multistrada V2.
On all models of the Multistrada family, Ducati offers the exclusive “4Ever Multistrada” warranty, valid for 4 years with unlimited mileage that relies on the service offered by the entire network of dealers of the Bologna-based company**.
#MultistradaV2 #YourEverydayWonder
* Only in countries where Euro 5 legislation is in force
** Only for EU countries
Featured In the September 2021 issue of Roadracing World:
There’s an old saying when it comes to helmet design and safety: Tell me exactly what kind of crash you are going to have, and I will design the perfect helmet for it. Damper rod front suspension kind of falls into that category. Damper rod forks can be made to work pretty well for one specific type of input. Any deviation from that, and the forks’ effectiveness goes down rapidly.
There are solutions to the shortcomings of damper rod forks. The problem is that they tend to be rather expensive, or they require skills that many home mechanics do not possess. This is a real problem, because the type of motorcycle that will come stock with damper rod forks is most likely one that is inexpensive. That bike’s owner will be less inclined to spend a bunch of money on an upgrade or less likely to have the capability to perform complicated upgrades.
Traxxion Dynamics looked around at the potential market for improvement kits for damper rod forks, evaluated the products that are available, and came up with one that provides a more sophisticated damping curve and is easier to install than full cartridge kits…
—Tried & Tested: Traxxion Dynamics AR-25 Axxion Rod Damper Kit, by Michael Gougis
Traxxion Dynamics’s AR-25 Axxion Rod Damper kit is designed to provide significant improvement in inexpensive front-end suspension units without spending half the cost of the bike. Read how easy the kit is to install and how well it works – all in the latest Roadracing World!
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CVMA Racing Round 1 2021/2022 Winter Series Opener
The opening round of the CVMA 2021/2022 winter series started off with some pretty big changes being implemented by the club. With big money up for grabs in the premier Shootout races and a double championship points event to kick off the season, the club saw one of the largest turnouts for a first round event in the club’s history.
Friday’s new racer school was very well attended. The New Racer School graduated seventeen new racers with many returning to race over the race weekend.
Saturday morning started off with cloudy conditions keeping the desert sun at bay and providing unseasonably cool (for the California desert) conditions. The club implemented a new Parc Ferme procedure for those riders racing in the shootout events, and the riders got their first experience with this after qualifying.
Chad Lewin was the star of qualifying. Lewin was the fastest rider on both an Open class (1000cc) and Middleweight (600cc) bike. Aden Thao was the fastest rider on an ultra lightweight bike. John Knowles was fastest on a lightweight class motorcycle and Lucas Geboo was fastest on an American big twin.
In the Ultra Lightweight Shootout, Aden Thao Got the holeshot and led the race from start to finish. Owen Williams was second from the start and was never challenged. Geoffery Marshall got a great start and was third at the end of the first lap. Savannah Jaska was able to make the pass on Marshall and take over the third spot on lap 2, Jaska held the spot to round out the podium finishing third.
Chad Lewin started the Supersport Shootout from pole position and was first into turn one at the start of the race. Rennie Scaysbrook started from the third spot on the grid but was able to get a good jump off the line and slot into second place at the start. Daniel Riser started from second on the grid but was demoted to third at the start of the race by Scaysbrook. The top three riders maintained their positions from the start of the race to the finish with Lewin taking the win in front of Scaysbrook and Riser.
In the premier race of the weekend, the Open Shootout, Chad Lewin Started from pole and got the holeshot with Corey Alexander, Michael Gilbert, Andrew Lee, and Jack Bakken following close behind. On lap two Alexnder led the way with Lee and Lewin in second and third. Lewin crashed in turn two and that allowed Gilbert to assume the third spot at the start of lap three. Alexander and Lee swapped the lead several times throughout the race until a red flag brought the race to a premature end on lap six. Lee took the win with Alexander in second and Gilbert third.
In the newly added American Thunder Shootout, Frankie Garcia headed the race from start to finish. Anthony Sollima was second and Lucas Geboo finished third.
There was some great racing in all the classes with some of the fastest riders in the country racing with the club this past weekend. The next CVMA race event is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 30-31.
Note: Two rounds have been rescheduled
There have been two updates to the calendar for the second half of the 2021-22 season. The April round has been moved up to avoid conflicting with MotoAmerica. The January round also had to be moved due to a conflict at the track. See below for the full schedule.
2021-22 Schedule
Round 1 – September 25-26, 2021 [CW] – Double Points
Round 2 – October 30-31, 2021 [CCW]
Round 3 – December 11-12, 2021 [CW]
Round 4 – January 15-16, 2022 [CCW]
Round 5 – February 26-27, 2022 [CW]
Round 6 – March 26-27, 2022 [CCW]
Round 7 – April 16-17, 2022 [CW] – Double Points
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
Additionally, CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com for more information.
CVMA. It’s club racing done right.
Editorial Note: Use the scroll and zoom tools in the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to better see all of the race results.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Rea leads KRT 1-2, Gerloff flies high and Honda show strength on day one at Portimao Friday, 1 October 2021 15:08 GMT
Jonathan Rea (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
11 riders covered by less than nine tenths of a second – the Motul Portuguese Round is shaping up to be a thriller
The 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season is in its closing stages as the final European round comes into view at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve for the Motul Portuguese Round. The Portimao track welcomes the next chapter of the Championship duel and day one saw the advantage go to Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), with the Ulsterman leading a Kawasaki 1-2 in Portugal.
KAWASAKI CONQUER: Rea heads Lowes
It was a strong session for Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), as the master of Portimao topped FP1 on Friday morning before moving on to finish first again in the afternoon. Rea improved with less than six minutes to go to increase his advantage over the rest of the field, completing a solid opening day’s work. Teammate Alex Lowes was third in FP1, with both Kawasakis showing strongly in the cooler temperatures. Lowes improved his overall time in the last 20 minutes of the second session, meaning that he finished in second overall.
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
INDEPENDENT CHARGE: top six sensations
Finishing in third at the end of the first day and looking like his old self, Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was up in third and back on the pace. The American rider was second in FP1 but was only pipped by Lowes in the overall classification come the end of the day. He led the Independent charge as Loris Baz (Team GoEleven) joined him in the top six overall in sixth. The French super-sub, deputising for Chaz Davies, is right on the pace at the circuit where he returned to the podium at last year following a six year wait. Baz set 38 laps, more than anyone else in the top six, getting valuable track time with Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA AND YAMAHA: shining solidly
It was a very promising first day at the Portimao office for Honda, with Leon Haslam (Team HRC) one of the biggest improvers compared to the morning time. The ‘Pocket Rocket’ knocked off 1.2s from his morning time, running well inside the top three for the majority of the second half of the second session. On the other side of the garage, the sun was also shining as Alvaro Bautista was up inside the top eight in FP2 and for most of the session, less than half a second from the top spot. Come the conclusion of the first day, Haslam finished in fourth overall, with Bautista in ninth.
Leon Haslam (91). Photo courtesy Dorna.
It was a solid day for Yamaha as Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) got his weekend underway. The Championship leader, who sports a 20-point advantage, was fourth in the morning session and was consistently inside the top four in the afternoon. Toprak set highly consistent lap times, with many laps all within a couple of tenths of his fastest time but ultimately, finished fifth. Teammate Andrea Locatelli had quite a quiet day in general, going about his business in the top eight and finishing the day in tenth overall.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.
WORK TO DO: Ducati and BMW set for Saturday improvements
It wasn’t the easiest first day at Portimao for Ducati, with Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) placing as top Ducati in the morning in sixth place, whereas teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi was only 13th. Both were well inside the top ten in FP2 but only Rinaldi was able to improve, as Redding lost time in the pitlane following a technical issue. Getting out for a flying lap at the end of the day and setting his fastest time, Redding finished in seventh come the close of business, whilst Rinaldi was eighth.
Friday saw another tricky start for BMW, with no representation inside the top ten. Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was marginally faster in the afternoon than the morning but consistent too, with both times being in the 1’42.3 bracket. For Eugene Laverty (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), he was back in action in place of the injured Tom Sykes, and finished the day in 15th place, although the Irishman did suffer a technical issue on his final run at the end of FP2.
THE REST: a surprise from afar?
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) took 12th place as he got to grips with Portimao’s undulations, whilst Isaac Viñales (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 13th on his return to WorldSBK action. Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) continued to impress next up in 14th, whilst Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing) was 16th behind fellow BMW rider Laverty. Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Samuele Cavalieri (Barni Racing Team) and Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) completed the top 20, whilst wildcard Gabriele Ruiu (B-Max Racing Team) was next up, ahead of OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini duo Loris Cresson and Lachlan Epis.
American Moto2 racer and MiniGP World Series ambassador Joe Roberts (far right) with FIM MiniGP North America/MotoAmerica Mini Cup stars (from left) Jayden Fernandez, Kensei Matsudaira, and Jesse James Shedden in the Italtrans Racing garage at COTA. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Some fast faces from the Grand Prix paddock will form an important part of the newest initiative on the Road to MotoGP™
Thursday, 30 September 2021
The inaugural season of the FIM MiniGP World Series is underway, beginning the newest initiative on the Road to MotoGP™. Designed to unify and standardise MiniGP competitions from around the world under the same umbrella, the FIM MiniGP World Series aims to create an equal platform for young riders worldwide and increase their skill and opportunity.
There are ten Cups in the inaugural Series, and an ambassador from the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship paddock has been named for each:
FIM MiniGP Alpe Adria Series: Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG)
FIM MiniGP France Series: Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
FIM MiniGP Ireland Series: John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing)
FIM MiniGP Italy Series: Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama)
FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series: Hafizh Syahrin (NTS RW Racing GP)
FIM MiniGP Netherlands Series: Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG)
FIM MiniGP North America Series: Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team)
FIM MiniGP Portugal Series: Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
FIM MiniGP Spain Series: Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team)
FIM MiniGP UK Series: Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing)
FIM MiniGP Spain Series ambassador Pol Espargaro with young Spanish racers in the Repsol Honda garage. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The ambassadors represent the Cups and as the FIM MiniGP World Series continues, have the chance to meet the competitors and offer some advice as the young riders follow their dream on the Road to MotoGP™. The Aragon GP staged the first meeting between FIM MiniGP Spain Series ambassador Pol Espargaro and the top riders from the competition in Spain, before the San Marino GP at Misano saw Enea Bastianini get to know the riders from the FIM MiniGP Italy Series. Next up the top riders from the FIM MiniGP North America Series will get the chance to meet their ambassador, Joe Roberts, at the Circuit of the Americas, before multiple MotoGP™ winner Miguel Oliveira greets the fastest faces from the FIM MiniGP Portugal Series at the Algarve GP.
Each ambassador will also play a key role in the FIM MiniGP World Series Final at the Valencia GP, on-hand as the top riders from each Cup battle it out for victory – and the chance to move up the Road to MotoGP™ in 2022.
In addition, the bike lottery to match each FIM MiniGP World Series Finalist with the bike they’ll be riding in the final – ensuring the distribution is fair and randomised – will take place at the Algarve GP in Portimão, the weekend before the FIM MiniGP World Series final. 2020 MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir and Team Suzuki Ecstar teammate Alex Rins will do the honours, matching each rider with their machine ahead of the pre-event MotoGP™ Press Conference on Thursday.
More, from another press release issued by Dorna:
Meet the ambassador! Roberts hosts the MiniGP North America series frontrunners
American Moto2 racer and MiniGP World Series ambassador Joe Roberts (far left) with FIM MiniGP North America/MotoAmerica Mini Cup stars (continuing from left) Kensei Matsudaira, Jayden Fernandez, and Jesse James Shedden in the Italtrans Racing garage at COTA. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Series ambassadors were announced on Thursday and thereafter, home hero and FIM MiniGP North America series ambassador Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) hosted some special guests at COTA.
Fresh from the Press Conference, Kensei Matsudaira, Jesse James Shedden and Jayden Fernandez headed for the Italtrans box to see a Moto2™ machine up close and enjoy a meet and greet with Roberts, getting a few words of wisdom from the Grand Prix podium finisher!
Joe Roberts (left) and Cameron Beaubier (right). Photo courtesy Dorna.
“I’ll go for it!”: riders ready for another COTA rodeo
The pre-event Press Conference kicks off the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas
Friday, 01 October 2021
Drum roll… we are back at COTA! The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas kicked off on Thursday with the pre-event Press Conference, with Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) joined by form man and closest challenger Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), King of COTA Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Misano podium finisher Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) and home heroes Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), with plenty to talk about.
World Championship riders (from left) Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, Joe Roberts, Fabio Quartararo, Enea Bastianini, Marc Marquez, and Cameron Beaubier at the pre-race press conference at Circuit of The Americas. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Here are some key quotes!
Fabio Quartararo: “I’m really happy to be back here and yes, it’s a track that I really like. Two years ago my first MotoGP season was quite good and since then we’ve taken a lot of experience. For sure we will go a lot better, but yeah it’s a track that I like and I think we can achieve a good goal. Of course we know the back straight will be difficult for us, but I think the first and last sectors will be important ones to recover.
Fabio Quartararo. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“Honestly in Misano, behind Jack, I had some moments. But as soon as I overtook Jack and I saw Pecco in front, I needed to try. Second is ok for the championship and in the end that’s the position we finished but it’s the race I had more fun in this year. It’s a shame we didn’t get that place at the end, but the race was going super fast and I want more of this at the end. Of course I’m in a tricky situation, I will not push over my limit but if I can achieve something like Misano or something better, I’ll go for it.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “It’s a track that I like, I am always happy to come here to America. Austin is a place I like, and I think our bike will suit this track well. I won the last few races and my feeling with the bike grew a lot. I know it is not an easy track, the first sector hasn’t been easy in recent years. In 2018, I was not feeling great with the bike with the movements of the bike and the bumps, but this year, with the new surface it might be better. I think Yamaha will be fast, but Honda with Marc will be the fastest.
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“This year we were fast at tracks that we struggled at in the past years. I think our bike suits better in all the conditions in all the situations of tracks. This first sector is very similar to Silverstone, maybe more difficult but similar, and we were fast there so I think we can also be very competitive here. We need a chance to stay in front so we have to be competitive.”
Marc Marquez: “I mean the approach of the weekend, for example compared to Misano and Austin is a bit different because I know that normally in this track I enjoy a lot and this year I will try to enjoy it, because if we take this season I’m suffering more than enjoying. Anyway we will see, it’s a tough track, lots of changes of direction and a lot of brake points, but luckily it’s on the left side, so this will help. And yeah, I’m ready to enjoy – if I enjoy it on the bike the result will arrive.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna.
“As you see in Misano we tried the 2022 prototype, and it was a big difference. One of the biggest differences since I joined Honda. They are working very hard and I think it was very interesting. We improved our weak points but when you improve your weak points, of course if you improve the weak points then other problems arrive. But we already understood a bit, me and Pol, the comments were similar and with the new bike we were fast. The first contact was nice, it was good, but we need to keep working, try to understand in other race tracks and with less grip because the grip at the Misano Test was unbelievable, it was so easy to go fast, and yeah, now it’s time to keep working and try to prepare for the 2022 season.”
Enea Bastianini: “You know it’s very nice to battle with these guys and I think Marc is fantastic. Also riding the Ducati, it’s an incredible bike because you can brake very hard. Also, Misano, it’s easier for me because we tested a lot with the Panigale and it’s one of my favourite tracks. Here in Austin, it’s another world, another track. I have to understand more my bike and I think Marc here is incredible and we will see what we can do here on this track.
Enea Bastianini. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“Yeah it is possible, we can do another good race in Austin. I have never tried the Ducati at this track, step by step I’m arriving to my objective and also I am riding the bike more easily. We will see if we can do another step. The top six is possible but not easy!”
Joe Roberts: “It’s just amazing to be back here honestly. I think, pretty thankful to MotoGP and Dorna for making this happen to come back to America, as an American rider it’s crucial that we race in America. Even just last night flying in and coming into the airport and seeing fans already, coming up and saying hi, it’s amazing. Austin I’ve always said it’s one of my favourite cities, I’m a big fan of music and stuff so, they’ve got Austin City Limits this weekend – not that I’ll make any shows! – but it’s pretty cool to be here. I hope for a great showing, we have a great race and the fans really enjoy it.
Joe Roberts. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“It’s been a bit of a difficult season I think. Not the season me and the team expected. Started out pretty decent you know, running out front, but for whatever reason we’ve hit hard times I would say. But I don’t know, I think it’s something that can happen in this class, this class is unpredictable, the class can be like that sometimes. We wanted to stay together because I believe in the team and the team believes in me, I feel that we can get back to where we should be next year and even finish this season really well.”
Cameron Beaubier: “It’s like Joe said, it’s pretty special coming back here and racing at COTA and we haven’t been here since 2019, and we were here in 2019 with Moto America so yeah, it’s going to be nice on Friday rolling out on the track I know. In front of the hometown crowd and everything like that yeah, it’s been an amazing season so far you know, it’s been really, really tough this Moto2 class. I mean just the level of talent across the board from Moto2, Moto3 and obviously MotoGP is incredible so yeah, looking forward to this weekend and see what the weather throws at us.
Cameron Beaubier. Photo courtesy Dorna.
“It’s hard to say exactly my target is, I want to finish the year strong. The beginning of the year it started out OK, I got a couple tests at some tracks that we went and raced at. I was more competitive than what I was now but I think the biggest thing with my new crew chief, Stew, he’s just telling me focus on the gap to the front rather than the position because you know how tight Moto2 is! It’s incredible so just trying to kind of focus on that. I’m really excited going into the offseason the next year just getting all the tracks you know, learn and relearn because I haven’t been in Europe in 11 years so that’ll be really cool, and yeah, see where we stack up.”
Now the talking stops and the flag drops. Tune in as Free Practice begins on Friday morning, before Sunday sees the lights go out for MotoGP™ at 14:00 (GMT -5)!
Brandon Paasch (96) in action at Oulton Park. Photo by Barry Clay.
Dynavolt Triumph ready for penultimate round at Donington Park
Dynavolt Triumph return to Donington Park this weekend for round ten of the 2021 Quattro Group British Supersport Championship. For Brandon Paasch Donington Park has proved a rich hunting ground, the scene of his best results so far in the Supersport category back in August with two podium successes before injury struck at Snetterton.
After two brave top ten performances last weekend at Oulton Park, Paasch arrives at Donington Park feeling much further along in his recovery and ready to take another step towards his previous form at his adopted home round.
Brandon Paasch: “I’m really excited to head back to Donington, my ‘home race’ and it’s the track I’ve got my best results at this year. My wrist is feeling stronger by the day so I’m looking to build off of last week’s results!”
Danny Webb will make his second appearance for Dynavolt Triumph at the 2.48-mile Leicestershire circuit standing in for the injured Kyle Smith. The former Moto3 and World Supersport rider Webb is excited to get to a track he knows well as he continues to adapt to the Dynavolt Triumph.
Danny Webb: “I’m really looking forward to getting to Donington Park, it’s a circuit that I’m a bit more familiar with and it’s a bit more like the European circuits I’m used to so looking forward to getting there and getting back to working with the team and hopefully getting some good results in.”
Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “Two rounds to go, it’s been an eventful BSB season for us, we’ve won races and we’ve had podiums. Kyle’s crash at Silverstone meant that we’re not in contention for the Championship any more but in the last two rounds we want to podium and challenge for wins if we can. Brandon’s performance at Oulton Park, considering his injury, was very good. I expect him to be stronger at Donington Park because he understands how to get the best from himself in his current physical condition and I expect his physical condition to be better. The secret will be that one lap in qualifying because at Oulton he did have the pace to run with the group. His fastest lap at the end of the race was very competitive so he should be in a good position.”
“For Danny not having been to Oulton Park for so many years and the first time on a Triumph was always going to be challenging, then he lost the first session with an electrical issue but now he understands the Dynavolt Triumph and we are going to a circuit he knows well so I’m looking forward to seeing what Danny can do. He enjoyed working with us and we enjoyed working with him. I’m optimistic, let’s see what we can do.”
British Supersport action kicks off from Donington Park with Free Practice One on Friday at 09:35hrs (BST).
All Kids Bike® is a national program on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike. Photo courtesy All Kids Bike.
Progressive AFT and All Kids Bike Team Up to Bring Learn-To-Ride Program to Charlotte-Area Kindergarteners
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 30, 2021) – Progressive American Flat Track proudly announced today that the series will be teaming up with the nonprofit All Kids Bike to help teach hundreds of kids to ride by placing a learn-to-ride program into a Charlotte-area elementary school.
On the morning of October 7, Progressive AFT staff, All Kids Bike staff, and AFT stars Cory Texter and Johnny Lewis will be building bikes and delivering the program to the Parkside Elementary School kindergarten PE class.
At Friday’s Honda Charlotte Half-Mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a highlight video of the bike build and school delivery will be featured on the livestream and at-track jumbotron.
As part of the Friday night race program, there will be an opportunity for older students who already know how to ride to come ride their bicycles in the infield of the racetrack in front of the fans.
This “Next Generation – Bicycle Ride” will happen at 6:20 p.m. ET, just before Opening Ceremonies. This bicycle ride opportunity is limited to the first 100 registrants. Terrain may be challenging and kids must be proficient bicyclists to participate.
One free adult ticket is available with each registered young rider and must be picked up at Will Call by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, October 8. Registration is available at:
To score the latest gear for the Progressive American Flat Track fan, visit our official merchandise store at https://store.americanflattrack.com.
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events with TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.
About Strider Education Foundation and All Kids Bike
All Kids Bike is a national movement led by the Strider® Education Foundation to place Kindergarten PE Learn-To-Ride Programs into public schools for free, using donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. The Strider Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed in 2017. The Strider Education Foundation believes that learning to ride can help everyone lead a happier and healthier life.
A 2022 Ducati Multistrada V2 S at speed. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Ducati presents the new Multistrada V2: the pleasure of travelling, every day
The Multistrada V2 is the new gateway to the Multistrada universe: a comfortable, fun to ride, versatile and technologically advanced twin-cylinder bike
5 kg lighter than the previous version and with improved ergonomics, the Multistrada V2 is the perfect bike to experience the beauty of travelling every day
The bike will be available at Ducati dealerships from November 2021, also in a 35-kW version for A2 licence holders
A 2022 Ducati Multistrada V2 S. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 30th September 2021 – The first episode of the Ducati World Première 2022 web series (link to the video here) is dedicated by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer to the world of travel, with the presentation of the new Multistrada V2: the ideal bike to enjoy every route, versatile in everyday use and in the city, always with the sportiness and unmistakable style that characterize every Ducati.
With the Multistrada V2 project, the Borgo Panigale company has worked to further evolve the twin-cylinder of the family of Ducati dual bikes, creating a 360° bike, increasingly intuitive, comfortable, fun and accessible.
The new Multistrada V2 is a technologically advanced motorcycle, with an extremely complete electronic package and represents the perfect gateway to the Ducati tourer universe, thanks also to the introduction of the 35-kW version for A2 licence holders.
During the development phases of this bike the main points of focus were ergonomics, weight reduction, engine updates and a series of upgrades that follow the philosophy of “continuous improvement”.
The design of the Multistrada V2 is elegant and sporty at the same time, perfectly in line with the stylistic and recognizable canons of the Borgo Panigale family of dual bikes. A style characterized by fluid lines, clean surfaces and the characteristic and distinctive balance between the important front volume and the slenderness and lightness of the rear. The Multistrada V2 also features new refined graphics, which shows the name of the bike on both sides.
A 2022 Ducati Multistrada V2 S. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The new Multistrada V2 is equipped with the latest evolution of the 937 cc Testastretta 11° unit. The desmodromic distribution engine, four valves per cylinder, water-cooled, delivers 113 horsepower and approximately 10 kgm of maximum torque*. This twin-cylinder is very linear, manageable and smooth at low revs, and is equipped with a torque that is always ready and vigorous, which if necessary can release all Ducati’s typical sporty and adrenaline-pumping character. Consistent and robust, the engine has extended maintenance intervals, with oil change every 15,000 km and valve clearance check every 30,000 km.
The evolution of the Testastretta 11° mounted on the new Multistrada V2 features important improvements: new connecting rods, new 8-disc hydraulic clutch and an updated gearbox, which guarantees greater fluidity and precision in shifting, also facilitating the engagement of neutral. An even more appreciable progress in use in conjunction with the quick shifter, now with a further optimized operating strategy.
The bike’s chassis is agile and intuitive, with a 19″ front wheel that ensures a smooth, comfortable ride, always with the right level of reactivity and precision. Extremely versatile, the bike is also ideal for urban use, thanks to the effectiveness of the Ducati Skyhook Suspension EVO semi-active suspension system (standard on the S version), which can absorb roughness and unevenness of the ground and always guarantee the ideal set-up of the vehicle, improving safety and comfort.
Important development work has been made on the ergonomics of the bike, to make it more comfortable and more intuitive, able to put any rider at ease in any situation. The height has been reduced to 830 mm, with a redesigned shape of the saddle which is now narrower and more compact between the rider’s legs to allow you to easily touch the ground with your feet thanks to an inseam arch of only 1,790mm.
These changes provide safety when the bike is stationary and improve confidence when manoeuvring at low speed even with a passenger and full cases. Furthermore, in the Ducati Performance catalogue a low seat and a lowered suspension kit are available which, combined, allow you to reach a height of 790mm.
The work on the seat also focused on riding comfort: the new shape of the saddle provides a flat area that guarantees the rider freedom of movement in the longitudinal direction, improving the level of comfort and allowing anyone to find the optimal position.
The riding position is now more comfortable with the new footpegs inherited from the Multistrada V4 which, thanks to a 10 mm increase in distance from the seat, ensure the right amount of room also for taller riders, preventing them from bending their legs excessively, and thus allowing a more restful position during long journeys.
Another key area of improvement is the reduction in the bike’s weight, which, through work on many elements, has resulted in a reduction of 5 kg in weight compared to the Multistrada 950.
The engine update has produced a saving of about 2 kg, including the clutch (1.5 kg) and its cover, gearbox drum and connecting rods. Various parts of the vehicle have been lightened, including the mirrors, derived from Multistrada V4, the front brake disc flanges and the rims: the new Multistrada V2 mounts rims derived from the Multistrada V4, which are about 1.7 kg lighter, thus generating an important improvement in the dynamic behaviour of the vehicle. Spoked wheels are also available in the Ducati Performance catalogue, which have been significantly lightened.
The Multistrada V2 is equipped as standard with a state-of-the-art electronic package that offers everything you need to travel in comfort and safety. The package includes ABS Cornering, which guarantees a high degree of safety when braking even when cornering, Vehicle Hold Control, which makes starting on sloping roads easy, Ducati Traction Control, the four Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro) completely configurable by the user and the new featured Ducati Brake Light system which, in the event of sudden braking, automatically activates the flashing of the rear light in order to signal the condition of sudden slowing down appropriately.
In the S version the journey becomes 5-star thanks to a benchmark full-optional package for the segment, which sees the addition of the Skyhook electronic suspension, Cruise Control, full-LED headlight equipped with Ducati Cornering Lights function which optimizes the illumination of the roadway based on the lean of the motorcycle, Ducati Quick Shift Up & Down, Hands Free system, a high resolution 5” colour TFT dashboard with intuitive interface and backlit handlebar controls.
The colour range consists of the classic “Ducati Red” colour with black rims, available for both Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2 S, together with the new “Street Grey” livery with black frame and “GP Red” rims, which can only be ordered for the version S.
For the Multistrada V2 family there are two trim levels that can be ordered directly from the factory. The Essential trim is available for both Multistrada V2 and Multistrada V2 S, while the Travel trim, with side bags, heated grips and central stand, can only be ordered for the S version.
The Multistrada V2 will be available in dealerships in the Ducati network starting from November 2021.
The Ducati Performance catalogue also includes a series of specifically designed accessories to enhance the character and qualities of the Multistrada V2.
On all models of the Multistrada family, Ducati offers the exclusive “4Ever Multistrada” warranty, valid for 4 years with unlimited mileage that relies on the service offered by the entire network of dealers of the Bologna-based company**.
#MultistradaV2 #YourEverydayWonder
* Only in countries where Euro 5 legislation is in force
** Only for EU countries
The author in action at Buttonwillow on his 2003 Suzuki SV650 after fitting a Traxxion Dynamics AR-25 Axxion Rod Damper Kit. The kit improved feel, compliance, and control. Photo by Caliphotography.com.
Featured In the September 2021 issue of Roadracing World:
There’s an old saying when it comes to helmet design and safety: Tell me exactly what kind of crash you are going to have, and I will design the perfect helmet for it. Damper rod front suspension kind of falls into that category. Damper rod forks can be made to work pretty well for one specific type of input. Any deviation from that, and the forks’ effectiveness goes down rapidly.
There are solutions to the shortcomings of damper rod forks. The problem is that they tend to be rather expensive, or they require skills that many home mechanics do not possess. This is a real problem, because the type of motorcycle that will come stock with damper rod forks is most likely one that is inexpensive. That bike’s owner will be less inclined to spend a bunch of money on an upgrade or less likely to have the capability to perform complicated upgrades.
Traxxion Dynamics looked around at the potential market for improvement kits for damper rod forks, evaluated the products that are available, and came up with one that provides a more sophisticated damping curve and is easier to install than full cartridge kits…
—Tried & Tested: Traxxion Dynamics AR-25 Axxion Rod Damper Kit, by Michael Gougis
Traxxion Dynamics’s AR-25 Axxion Rod Damper kit is designed to provide significant improvement in inexpensive front-end suspension units without spending half the cost of the bike. Read how easy the kit is to install and how well it works – all in the latest Roadracing World!
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CVMA Open Shootout winner Andrew Lee (center), runner-up Corey Alexander (left), and third-place finisher Michael Gilbert (right). Photo by Jess Bumgarner, courtesy CVMA.
CVMA Racing Round 1 2021/2022 Winter Series Opener
The opening round of the CVMA 2021/2022 winter series started off with some pretty big changes being implemented by the club. With big money up for grabs in the premier Shootout races and a double championship points event to kick off the season, the club saw one of the largest turnouts for a first round event in the club’s history.
Friday’s new racer school was very well attended. The New Racer School graduated seventeen new racers with many returning to race over the race weekend.
Saturday morning started off with cloudy conditions keeping the desert sun at bay and providing unseasonably cool (for the California desert) conditions. The club implemented a new Parc Ferme procedure for those riders racing in the shootout events, and the riders got their first experience with this after qualifying.
Chad Lewin was the star of qualifying. Lewin was the fastest rider on both an Open class (1000cc) and Middleweight (600cc) bike. Aden Thao was the fastest rider on an ultra lightweight bike. John Knowles was fastest on a lightweight class motorcycle and Lucas Geboo was fastest on an American big twin.
In the Ultra Lightweight Shootout, Aden Thao Got the holeshot and led the race from start to finish. Owen Williams was second from the start and was never challenged. Geoffery Marshall got a great start and was third at the end of the first lap. Savannah Jaska was able to make the pass on Marshall and take over the third spot on lap 2, Jaska held the spot to round out the podium finishing third.
Chad Lewin started the Supersport Shootout from pole position and was first into turn one at the start of the race. Rennie Scaysbrook started from the third spot on the grid but was able to get a good jump off the line and slot into second place at the start. Daniel Riser started from second on the grid but was demoted to third at the start of the race by Scaysbrook. The top three riders maintained their positions from the start of the race to the finish with Lewin taking the win in front of Scaysbrook and Riser.
In the premier race of the weekend, the Open Shootout, Chad Lewin Started from pole and got the holeshot with Corey Alexander, Michael Gilbert, Andrew Lee, and Jack Bakken following close behind. On lap two Alexnder led the way with Lee and Lewin in second and third. Lewin crashed in turn two and that allowed Gilbert to assume the third spot at the start of lap three. Alexander and Lee swapped the lead several times throughout the race until a red flag brought the race to a premature end on lap six. Lee took the win with Alexander in second and Gilbert third.
In the newly added American Thunder Shootout, Frankie Garcia headed the race from start to finish. Anthony Sollima was second and Lucas Geboo finished third.
There was some great racing in all the classes with some of the fastest riders in the country racing with the club this past weekend. The next CVMA race event is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 30-31.
Note: Two rounds have been rescheduled
There have been two updates to the calendar for the second half of the 2021-22 season. The April round has been moved up to avoid conflicting with MotoAmerica. The January round also had to be moved due to a conflict at the track. See below for the full schedule.
2021-22 Schedule
Round 1 – September 25-26, 2021 [CW] – Double Points
Round 2 – October 30-31, 2021 [CCW]
Round 3 – December 11-12, 2021 [CW]
Round 4 – January 15-16, 2022 [CCW]
Round 5 – February 26-27, 2022 [CW]
Round 6 – March 26-27, 2022 [CCW]
Round 7 – April 16-17, 2022 [CW] – Double Points
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
Additionally, CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com for more information.
CVMA. It’s club racing done right.
Editorial Note: Use the scroll and zoom tools in the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to better see all of the race results.
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